Ride Outs – Page 2 – Clyde Valley HOG 9894

Loch Katrine Ride out….. and the Clotted Cream Crisis

04/07/2023

This weeks shop ride-out was to Loch Katrine by way of Aberfoyle and the Dukes Pass, a legendary bikers road. The weather forecast was promising but a few of the riders did get caught in some heavy rain on the way into Hillington, made worse by it being driven on the gusty winds which made for a soggy start to the day for some. Some though managed to totally avoid the rain just by being on the road a few minutes either side of the rain fall….so it was just your luck.

As the group assembled to leave for the Trossachs the rain had one final tip down, hammering hard on the roof of WCHD and frankly that was it. After that it was dry, with even brilliant sunshine on the way out from Balloch to Aberfoyle on dry roads, and then a dry crossing of the Dukes pass. It was evident that there had been no rain up on the hill and in fact ( as happened during the road crew recce earlier in the week) even the gusty wind was absent on the hill.

The rain had a wee return while we were inside stuffing our faces with Scones but it was gone by the time we emerged to head back to our respective destinations via Callander.

An interim briefing to discuss the status of clotted cream deliveries to Loch Katrine…the boat had been delayed by the weather.

There was a short stop in at the car park at Aberfoyle while the ride leader Davy received updates from the cafe at Katrine letting us know that clotted cream was not going to be an option on the scones so that the group could decide whether to make the crossing with inevitable minor disappointment awaiting at the other end.

if You have never ridden the Dukes Pass, and we had a few DP virgins on this ride, you might want to check out this segment of video from the Road Crew recce, of a run up the Dukes Pass during the week in sunshine and devoid of traffic.

However, we decided that cream or no cream the Dukes Pass was ready and waiting for us and we made a steady crossing with relatively little traffic of note.

We successfully negotiated “Sharons Corner”…Looks like its been resurfaced in the last couple of weeks

Chapter Ride Out to Kingshouse, Glencoe June 2023

17/06/2023

Who ate all the pies?

Would the weather hold?

Would we finally be forced into waterproofs?

Would Connor have any idea who Scotland were playing at football despite rushing home to watch “the” game?

Lindsay’s big Knickers….let’s not even go there….. Ian was appalled…”appalled” do you hear!

Can the insides of a Pie be so yellow and not kill you…Gilly should be able to answer that one…..Gilly?…Gilly? Oh dear….

What exactly was Lairdy doing in this photo?

Everyone in the Chapter wishes Lairdy a speedy recovery from having his arm reattached this week. Then maybe we might kindly suggest he might consider a trip to the dentist.

So a dozen bikes assembled at West Coast for a Saturday Chapter Ride (due to Sunday being Fathers Day).

Connor was leading the group and demonstrated exemplary memory skills reciting the chapter prayer prior to the off….that or he has very good eyesight and has it taped to a sticky on the building opposite the dealership.

You can see how impressed everyone was. Enthralled and overjoyed I think you can see that in the photos of the assembled throng.

Kara looked delighted she no longer had to listen to “You are deemed to be in control of and responsible for your vehicle and your riding at all times…..” for the 3569th time this week. Rumour has it, he was even practising at the bowling green!

We learned too that Frazer has become one with the Cult of Lairdy

Ian reminds us you ride a bike to make you happy….

Going WILD! in the CoUNTRY…. definitely not bowling: Lanark Loch

28/05/2023

This Saturday’s ride out was to Lanark Loch under the expert navigation of Road Captain Chris Kelly, assisted by sweeper and soapy bike washer Janice (it requires too much explanation you had to be there) and non-expert navigator on this particular way around Lanarkshire, Kenny as tail-ender.

So unfamiliar with this particular neck of the woods was the tail-ender, that he marveled at how big Stathaven had become in the ten years since he had last visited it (never having approached it from the north west before). We must have past three or four signs on the big boulevard they have built to manage this rapid expansion, that read
Strathaven
Town Centre
before we reached a roundabout that was “decorated” with a huge EK and your humble scribe suddenly realised we were actually in East Kilbride.

Oh dear, never mind.

At least these two knew where we were going!

Janice isn’t dressed to go Bowling either.

We had about 13 bikes in total for the run and a great wee hurl through some very quiet, dare I say well surfaced twisty roads across the the loch which took about 90 minutes. it wasn’t as warm as you might have imagined especially out beyond the Mega Metropolis that is Strathaven ( see prior comments).

No Burnsy on this ride out, no, he isn’t in Egypt, we had it on good authority he was staying in to await the delivery of his Rally Pack for The Gathering, which was apparently being dropped off by Davy Henderson, mounted on a golden chariot pulled by two Arabian Stallions. (only a portion of this might be untrue).

Editors note: I am going to have to buy Burnsy so many pints at The Gathering to make up for the amount of abuse he gets on the pages of this website! There will be a collection bucket at registration to assist in this regard.

Sons of Airdrie Bowling Club

While this was going on Jigger and his young Padawan Connor want it to be known that they selflessly embarked on a hazardous reconnaissance mission onto the Cowal Peninsula in prep for The Gathering. No bikes were lost in this perilous quest, but at least five…yes FIVE emails of the two photos that they want us to see were still arriving at Clyde Valley HQ late into Saturday evening, so keen were they for you to see these images. You can stop now chaps, well done, time for tea and slippers…..speaking of which another photo of the daring duo has also arrived that Jigger and Connor are maybe less keen to be shared.

Chibbs and Jax watching another great delivery that ended up with three bowls closest to the jack on this occasion…what excitement!

The Pathfinders at Lochgoilhead Bowling club car park.

Jigger and Connor, took the boat back as they were in such a rush to slip into something more “blazer and flannels” and hit the Bowling greens at Airdrie.

…but no bowling at Lanark

At Lanark Loch however there was definitely no discussion of bowls. Anyone daring to discuss the race to reach 21 points was soon sent for ice cream. We did however learn that Yvonne particularly likes the way I say the word “CoUNTRY” though perhaps best to not elaborate much further on that. Davie Fulton revealed that some soapy mankini action might be on the cards at The Gathering if we pay him enough and Paddy is suffering PTSD from the discussion of Davie and Catherines romantic weekend away for their 30th Anniversary ( congratulations guys from all at CVH ). We did try to protect him by asking him to cover his ears but he was having none of it. Paddy does however seem to be developing some interest in bowling, probably spending too much time with Connor.

None of the rest of the riders who headed to Lanark Loch were dressed to go bowling either.

….and before you go

A few familiar faces were encountered up at the Wallace Rally later in the day who cannae wait for The Gathering next week…..mind it’s not too late to get a last minute ticket.

Gary says he hasn’t recovered from the mental trauma I caused him taking his photo last year at Hunters Quay. Am I going to regret turning up this year…..nah….cannae wait!

Burntisland Chapter Ride Out

22/05/2023

Vicki looking confident on the Sportster

No one got Burnt and there’s no island

The Chapter ride-out this month was to Burntisland in the Kingdom of Fife. Led by Stevie, and supported by Connor and Jigger, the riders rode up through the west side of the Campsies and then across the Carse of Stirling (that was Carse….there is a “C” in front…) via the A811, before joining the M9 at Craigforth to miss out some roadworks through the city, then on out to Kincardine for a comfort break and to pick up any riders who couldn’t get across Glasgow to WCHD in time for the start.

With circulation restored the riders left over the Kincardine Bridge and headed along the north shore of the River Forth to the final destination which was Burntisland.

While it wasn’t a cold day, it was a bit on the grey and dull side and rain was always threatening but never really getting going.

The chapter arrived on the Stirling Ring Road at 11:43, some 13 minutes later than predicted by your humble scribe, apparently due to the late arrival at WCHD of one Andrew Burns who flew in from his spiritual home of Egypt to join us….not that we would dare cast up anything like lateness to one so exulted.

The ride out was planned to almost literally pass your webmasters door, and he spent half an hour after 11am looking for a suitable spot to capture the bikes with Stirling Castle in the background. The time and sacrifices…you have little idea. By the time 11:43 rolled around ( 13 minutes later than his estimate of the time the ride would pass by) he was starting to think they weren’t coming. Perhaps a change of plan, perhaps a no show…

So long after the due time in fact that the sun even attempted to come out for a moment. All caused by Burnsy’s “delayed arrival” at WCHD. Not that we would wish to make anyone feel bad or be reminded of their mis-deeds. But appear they did, then were off down the M9

With the riders “eventually” past Stirling, your mere “Documenter of Truths” took off like the proverbial scalded rabbit ( is that even a proverbial thing? I’m not sure it is.) and was off down the M9 in pursuit of the bikes on their way to Kincardine Services.

Imagine therefore his surprise when he arrived at said designated rally point and only Brian stood, sad and alone, bereft of friends with no other shiny things of the Milwaukee Motor Company to be seen.

We were standing discussing this odd state of affairs when the rumbling sound of V Twin power made itself heard and into the car park rode Stevie and the troops. They had taken the “Eastern Villages” route out via Fallin and Airth. Brian was much happier now! Happy Brian.

Greetings were gret and hello’s were exchanged. Jigger looked troubled by his new found love of green bowls having spent an action packed day in flat shoes on Saturday, and is considering trading in his custom Street Glide Special, for a Henselite Tiger Evo ( well, a set of four actually) and is actively shopping for a blazer and grey “slacks” I am reliably told by young Connor.

Jigger imagining himself in grey slacks and a blazer

After consuming some of Columbia’s finest produce ( that will be coffee by the way) …the bikes roared off east in pursuit of palm-fringed beaches, and sunshine. At this point your disseminator of all that is honest and truthful, and without humour parted company with the pack, as work-related obligations beckoned.

Jigger’s short leg

Has anyone noticed? Can you even play bowls like this?

is it just me that see’s the photo on the left and thinks of the picture on the right?

…and on to the island of Burned-ness

They never found sun nor palm fringed beaches served by those wee Tiki Bars that serve rum laced cocktails…. but did reach Burntisland. It had a chip shop.

And so another successful ride out ends, our weary travellers said their farewells and made their way back to Clyde Valley land, regaling any who would listen of burning islands, people with their pants on their heads and apparently Jigger was hugely impressed with the greens at Burntisland Bowling Club and has vowed to return with his “Evo’s”.

International Ladies Ride Day and Camping trip

08/05/2023

As if burning your feet for charity wasn’t enough activity for one weekend those Ladies of Harley were out again on Saturday this time on altogether ‘cooler’ pursuits (see what I did there?) for International Ladies Ride day.

Seven Lady Riders took a ride out to Helensburgh heading over the Old Military Road, led by LoH Officer Janice, with Jigger and Connor along to provide Road Crew Duty support.

Pete Mulkerrins also attended but he mistook the ride out as the “Camping trip” and had decided to dress the part. He also requested he be referred to as Petrina….which didn’t seem to be news to Katrina.

Connor has his LoH wings on order ready for Campbelltown

Connor not wishing to be left out of the cross-dressing action has allegedly already bought his Ladies of Harley Patches ( ……’with wings’…. what?) and has a range of recipes to try out for Strawberry Tea Weekend.

We imagine it’s safer letting him loose with a food mixer rather than a nail gun.

The ladies, all headed out to Helensburgh for a few pictures and no doubt to have a cooling dip of those singed feet in the Clyde before returning to WCHD for tea and Medals.

The Actual “Camping” Trip

The Other group riding out on Saturday morning was an ‘actual’ camping trip…not the cross-dressing festival that Petrina turned out for. Scott took a group of about 8 of the hardier riders out for a ride up through Glencoe, via Fort William and ending up at Skye for an overnight under canvas….and there wasn’t a bottle of eyeliner in sight…. well not that anyone is admitting though apparently there may have been some sunken looken eyes the next morning.

It was hard to see if Scott had packed his make-up bag or his “special underwear” for an overnight trip.

Ian MacKay — Ian appeared to be carrying off the Windswept and Interesting look for the 2024 Belstaff catalogue

The crew at Skye with the CVH and Isle of Skye flags.

What happened on this overnight trip is a case of “what happened in Skye, stays in Skye” though apparently the SSPCA were called to several crofts on Sunday morning to look at some very distressed sheep.

345434835_757662949342393_6299625471079672018_n — All the photos from the Skye Camping trip are on Flickr.

A Training Run to the Seaside for Chips

27/03/2023

…(or not)…..Chips that is….

Largs Ride Out and Training Day

So following on from Saturday’s Road Crew training day, Sunday was a chance for the Road Crew to put into practice with a bigger group, all that had been learned the day before. It was also a great opportunity for new members and those less confident or familiar with riding in a group to come and see how it all works….two man drop off, spacing and the “stagger” while group riding. There was a rumour Director Stevie might be treating everyone to chips at Largs*. If nothing else that ensured a good turn out on our first ride out of the year on what was forecast to be a possibly wintery day.

The Road Crew did a couple of demo’s on the roads around WCHD of the second man drop off, then the group was briefed and assembled to take on the first leg of the ride from WCHD to Port Glasgow. It was with Jigger out front acting as the mobile Sat Nav , Kenny was thrust into the lead role for the first time since officially joining the Road Marshals on Saturday, with Shas on the back- I think we could have got two of her in the Orange Captains Bib when sat behind Kenny on the Road King Special, and the group was led off down the Motorway to exit at the tricky Junction 29 Airport sideroad exit….a bit of a nemesis of a junction for Kenny who managed to miss the turn off entirely on his very first ride out with the chapter nearly two years ago, when also going to Largs!

While he didn’t miss it this time, let’s just say it’s still a tricky one up front and there was a lot of hand swapping going on to point the drop-off at the right spot….luckily the second in line was Davie Fulton who knew the drill here anyway and was very tolerant.

But that wee technicality aside we were off down the backroads towards Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm on what was a very agreeable morning for motorbike riding. There was some snow on the higher tops around Glasgow but at road level it was turning into a pretty fine day.

The group arrived safely at Port Glasgow and Connor ( a proper Road Captain) took over as Road Captain for the leg down to Largs. A lot of roadworks around Greenock led to a lot of unforeseen detours and the group became quite fragmented due to some very slow to change temporary traffic lights through the town, but we had a wee pause to let the group come back together and once clear of the works the run down the coast was very pleasant, and the sun even managed to shine once we were parked up at Largs.

Hands up who spotted chapter member Pete Chisholm filming us in the layby as we approached Largs. Hope to see you back out with us soon mate.

Short sequence of Video of CVH arriving at Largs, on bike video by Kenny, roadside; Pete Chisholm.

Stevie claimed the Road Crew directions meant he failed to locate a chip shop entirely, so there was a lot of disappointment, not least with young Connor who had taken the not insubstantial order for 9 Fish suppers, 3 steak pie suppers, a haggis supper, one deep fried pizza supper, and 10 bags of chips, and knew precisely how much salt, sauce or vinegar each was to have…..

Not to worry rumour has it if we can find a Wetherspoons he will treat us to that next time…..”if”….

*it was maybe just made up.

See all the photos from this weekend on our Flickr album. (we always post extra pics on Flickr)

Sun, Salt and Soup

28/01/2023

The winter riders before leaving Showcase

Clyde Valley Members were kindly invited to drop in on our Brothers and Sisters of Dunedin having one of their famous, Saddle Up Saturdays and a “Mates Ride*” posse of 8 members turned up at the Showcase Leisure Park to make the ride through to EHD.

It was a bright sunny day and after a wee touch of frost around dawn the roads, particularly the M8, had been pretty heavily salted but our intrepid riders and one pillion rode off into the low sunshine making fast progress arriving at EHD just after midday.

We were all made very welcome by our friends, and there were pies, hot coffee, and soup to warm anyone up who had felt the chill on the ride through, though to be fair, the pace was enough to keep you warm led by Head Road Captain Jigger.

Most of the riders were rather salt coated by the arrival at Sighthill in Edinburgh, I think while we were well aware it was salty, but the actual quantity of salt encrusting all the bikes and clothing surprised us all!

If you were dressed for the conditions it was actually a lovely day for a run and all enjoyed blowing off the January cobwebs….though all would be heading home to wash down the bikes before putting them back into mid-winter hibernation. Hopefully not too long before another impromptu run and the new season won’t be long now in getting kicked off. Have you checked out our events calendar which has been fully updated with the riding itinerary for 2023? You can see Shop ride-outs and Chapter Monthly Ride-outs on dedicated pages too if you want.